Make Your Own Outdoor Hanging Lights

Are you looking for ideas that will light up your outdoor space for little or no money? Well, you have stopped on the right page. There are some simple things you can do with items you probably have in your home right now. All of the lighting ideas below require candles.

Candles, when left unattended can cause injury as well as great damage. Never leave burning candles unattended, especially if they will be used around trees or bushes. If candles make you nervous, there are a great many choices of flameless candles. I purchased packages of two for $1 from the local Dollar tree store for use at my daughter's wedding. We turned them off after a full five hours and they were still going strong. These can be used as a substitute for candles at any time.

Hanging baskets or glass jars are a great idea for outdoor lighting. Part of the fun creating these backyard gems is finding the right jars. Search your local resale shops for the perfect jars and metal baskets. Choosing as many different shapes and sizes as possible. it is good to note though, that if the glass is too tall the candle will not burn well due to a lack of oxygen circulating in the glass. Choose jars that are no more that two or three inches taller than your candle. This will provide ample space for oxygen circulation and will assure a continuous burn. If you are using flame free candles anything goes.

You will need to find baskets with handles so that they can be hung from trees or shepherd hooks in your outdoor space. Once you have your baskets home, paint them to match your décor or your party theme. Decorate the baskets in any way you wish, such as hanging crystals or ceramic charms to match the theme of your space or party. Crystals are a great choice because as the candles burn down the crystals will pick up the refection of the light, making a delicate light play around the area.

After painting and decorating the basket, attach a small chain to the handle for hanging. Attach an S hook in the last link of the chain. Fit as many votives or small glass jars as you would like into the basket, and place a votive or flameless candle in each. Hang the basket by looping the chain over a branch and using the S hook, secure the end into the chain at the desired height. The basket may be heavy after the jars are in place, so make sure the branch you choose will support the weight. If you will be using flame burning candles make sure that the candles will not be burning near anything that could ignite. These baskets can also be used by to light pathways or as under lighting by hanging them from shepherd hooks. Shepard hooks can be found in most lawn and garden centers.

Any extra jars can be partially filled with sand or glass marbles with a candle placed in the center. The jars can be decorated to match the baskets and placed randomly around the space to provide lighting in seating areas or walkways.